Tool for severing metal bands on crates and the like



April 22, 1952 J. A. FANELLI 2,593,663

TOOL. FOR SEVERING METAL BANDS 0N CRATES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 2', 1951 2 Sl-IEETSSI-1EET 1 INVENT OR ATTORNEY April 1952 J. A. FANELLI 2,593,663

TOOL FOR SEVERING METAL BANDS ON CRATES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 2, 1951 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 kg y-d 0 26 26 I 5 .i l 5 25 x2 '5} 7 I 1 h. j A3 INVENT OR J orepla ATrQd/z ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 22, 1952 TOOL FOR SEVERING METAL BANDS ON QRATES AND THE LIKE Joseph A. Fanelli, Des Moines, Iowa Application August 2, 1351, Serial No. 240,021 3 Claims. (01. 81-3) (Granted under the act of. March 3, 1883, as

The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

My invention relates to tools, and more particularly to a tool for use in severing metal bands of the type used to secure boxes, crates'and the like .during shipment.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a simplified multi-purpose tool which is particularly useful for opening heavy wooden crates, and embodying novel means to sever or snap the steel bands which surround the crates during shipment.

A further object is to provide a tool of the above-mentioned character having means readily engageable with a taut metal band, and constructed to lift and positively hold the band so that the same may be tensioned and flexed until failure occurs.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a hand tool of the above-mentioned class which is easy to manipulate, sturdy and'durable in construction and inexpensiveto manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a side elevation of a tool embodying my invention, part broken away,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section taken on line 2--2 of Figure Figure 3 is a side elevation of the tool illustrating the use of the same for severing a metal band upon a crate or the like,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a tool embodying a slight modification of the invention,

Figure 6 is an end elevation of the tool illustrated in Figure 5, and,

Figure 7 is a side elevation of a tool'embodying a further modification of the invention.

In the drawings, where for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of my invention, attention is directed first toFigures l to 4 inclusive, wherein the numeral l0 designates generally the body portion of my multi-purpose tool, which preferably is inthe form of a hatchet. The body portion II] has the usual relatively narrow forward cutting blade II, and is provided at its opposite end with a fiat relatively wide thick head I2 for driving nails and the like. At the amended 'April 30,1928; 37 0 0. G. 757) I inner side of the head I2 nearest the handle I3 of the tool, the head is provided with a pair ,of curved laterally extending nail-pulling claws It. The body portion H3 is provided in its outer longitudinal edge I 8 with a generally longitudinal narrow slot l5, which extends from a point near and longitudinally inward of the hammering surface of the head I2 to apoint near the longitudinal axis of the handle I3. The innermost portion I6 of the slot I5 is straight, and arranged perpendicular to the hammering surface of the head I2 and tothe longitudinal axis of the handle. I3.

The straight portion it of the slot I5 is substantially parallel to the outer longitudinal edge iii of the body portion, while the entrance portion of the slot is inclined relative to the longitudinal edge I8.- The length of the straight portion I6 of the slot is preferably substantially equal to the width of the metal band to be severed by the tool, as will be more fully described hereinafter. The entrance portion of the slot I5 is curved and leads laterally inwardly of the longitudinal edge 13 gradually, while extending longitudinally thereof for a substantially greater distance. The slot I5 extends through the opposite side faces I! of the body portion In, and the opposed surfaces of the slot are normal to the side faces I1, Figure 3. Squared or sharp cutting corners H are formed along the entire length of the slot I5, where the opposed surfaces of the slot meet the side faces IT. The opposed surfaces of the slot H are smooth and parallel over their entire areas, and the Width of the slot is preferably only slightly greater than the thickness of the band to be severed.

The slot I5 forms with the outer longitudinal edge IS an elongated tapered cam element or wedge l9 having a substantially sharp transverse leading edge 20, for engagement under a taut steel band 2! which surrounds a crate 22 or the like. The outer end 23 of the head I2 terminates laterally inwardly of the leading edge 20, as shown, so that the wedge I9 may more readily pass beneath the taut metal band 2|, when the band is lying fiat against a side of the crate 22. The end 23 is fiat, and arranged at right angles to the hammering or working surface of the head I2. The entire slot I5 is arranged relatively near the outer longitudinal edge I8 of the body portion Hi, and the tapered wedge I9 is relatively narrow so that the wedge may be introduced under the taut band ZI without too much efiort, and without necessitating lifting the taut band from. the adjacent side of the crate to any great extent.

In use, the handle I3 may be directed upwardly same is forced upwardly over the curved inclined surface of the wedge I9 and will ultimatelyengage the inner most end of the'slot I5,,as' shown in Figure 4. The band 2I is now disposedin the" straight portion I6 of the slot and extends beyond the opposite side faces I'I. While in such position, the band 2I has no tendency to spring or slip out of the slot I5, since the tension in the band is downward and normal to the side walls of the straight portion I6 of the slot. As previously stated, the width of the slot I5 is preferably only slightly greater than the thickness of the band, and this further reduces the tendenc'y'for the band to slip laterally or longitudinally within the slot.

While the band 2| is thus engaged within the straight portion I6 of the slot, the handle I3 is graspedas in Figure 3 andv the tool is rocked about the longitudinal edge I8 of the body portion III, as shown, until failure of the band ZI occurs. The band will bendat the sharp corners I'I" when the tool is rocked, and failure will be induced by a combined cutting, bending and tensioning action. It is frequently necessary to rock the tool about its lower end only one time and in one direction to cause the failure of the band 2 I In Figures 5 and 6, I have shown a slight modification of the invention, wherein theband-receiving slot 25 is formed in the relatively narrow cutting blade portion I I. The slot 25' is identical in curvature and length with the slot I5, andthe leading sharpened edge 25 of the wedge element 26 projects laterally beyond the adjacent end of the cutting blade II,. in a manner similar to the disposition of the leading edge 20. The chief difference in the construction shown in Figures 5 and 6' is that the slot 25 and tapered wedge 26 are relatively narrower than the slot I 5 and wedge IS, the former being formed in the relatively narrow cutting blade portion I I of the tool, while the latter are formed in the thicker head portion I2. Also, as best shown in Figure 6, the wedge 26 tapers longitudinally toward the cutting edge of the blade I I. As in the first form of the invention, sharp corners are formed where the opposed surfaces of the slot 25 meet the side'faces of the cutting blade II, and this aids in the sev-' ering of the metal band. The use or operation of the form of thetool illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 are substantially identical to that described'in connection with the first form of the invention.

In Figure 7, there is shown a further modification of the invention, wherein the band-receiving slot 23 is 'formed in the relatively thick head portion I2, as in the first form of the invention. In Figure 7, however, the slot 28 is arranged at an angle with respect to the side faces H of the body portion I0, rather than normal thereto. Sharp corners 29-are formed where theopposerl surfaces of the slot 28 meet the side faces Ii. The chief advantage of the'construction illustrated in Figure 7 resides in the fact that when the tool is rocked during the use of the same the angle A between the metal band 2| and adjacent side face I1 is moreacute-than-the corresponding angle in connection with'the first form of the invention, wherethe slot I5 is normal to the side Theleading edge 4 faces H. The arrangement causes a greater degree of bending of the band 2|, greater tensioning of the band and more cutting action at the corners 29. Hence failure of the band 2 I is produced more readily and with less rocking of the tool.

Itis to be understood. that the forms. of the invention. herewith shown and. described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A tool for severing a taut metal band comprising a body portion provided in one side with a. slot which extends laterally inwardly of said side and generally longitudinally thereof, the innermost portion of the slot being straight and generally parallel to said side for accommodating the entire width of the band when the band enters the slot, the slot forming with said Side a tapered wedgefor engagement beneath the band so that the band is forced into the innertion provided in one side with a narrow slothaving a width only slightly greater than the thicknessof the metal band, the slot having an entrance portion which is inclined with respect to said one side of the body portion and extending laterally inwardly of said one side and generally longitudinally thereof, the slot including an innermost straight portion of a l'engthsufiicient to accommodate the entire width of' the metal band when the band reaches the inner end of the slot and extends transversely'through: the same, the slot forming with said one 'Sid 0f the body portion an elongated tapered wedge for engagement under the band so that the band is forced upwardly and into the straight portion of the slot, the leading end of the tapered wedge projecting laterally beyond said one side of the body portion, there beingsharp corners formed where the opposed surfaces of the slot meet opposite faces. of the body portion;

3. A tool for use in: severing metal bands surrounding crates or the like comprising a body portion provided in one side with a slot, said slot having an inclined entrance portion ex-' tending. laterally inwardly and generally longitudinally 'of' said one side and an innermost straight portion for receiving "and holding the metal band, the innermost straight portion being generally parallel to said one side' of the I body portion, the entire slot being transversely inclined with respect to the oppositeside faces or the body portion so that tilting of the body portion laterally while the metal band is disposed (References on following page) 5 REFERENCES CITED gg'zg The following references are of record in the 1 230:549 file of this patent: 1,503,323

UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Number Name Date b r 717,735 7 Coflin Jan. 6,190 2 4,339

Name Date Heckman July 13, 1909 Reynolds Oct. 1, 1918 Heasley July 29, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland Jan. 16, 1950 

